MarTEL (Maritime Tests of English Language)
Encyclopedia
MarTEL is a standardised test of maritime English language proficiency, through an interactive online learning platform. It was created under the European Union
's, Leonardo da Vinci (European Union programme)
funding stream, in combination with the Lifelong Learning Programme, and was established in 2007.
MarTEL has three grades, with the key aim to develop a series of Maritime English language standards incorporating the International Maritime Organization
's (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) at different standards:
The language of the sea is Maritime English and many ships, and to a lesser extent, ports, are manned by multinational crews. Hence, good communication in Maritime English is essential for creation and maintenance of effective working environments and safety of the crew, and generally safety at sea and at ports.
The MarTEL Project compliments the Loginovsky Report which stated that the significance of English as the working language of the international shipping industry and the overall performance and safety of the international fleet depends on the skill to apply it correctly. The Report continued that the ability of a non-native speaker to have a good command of Maritime English is very much influenced by the ability to think in it, in the frame work of the maritime profession. He concludes that to make the teaching and learning processes more effective, it is required to increase the thought activity of a seafarer using English.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's, Leonardo da Vinci (European Union programme)
Leonardo da Vinci (European Union programme)
In the European Union, the Leonardo da Vinci programme is a programme to encourage learners and trainees in vocational education and training to move between European countries in the course of their studies.-Examples:...
funding stream, in combination with the Lifelong Learning Programme, and was established in 2007.
MarTEL has three grades, with the key aim to develop a series of Maritime English language standards incorporating the International Maritime Organization
International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
's (IMO) Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) at different standards:
Background
Shipping is an integral part of the world economy, and yet safety at sea is still not viewed as a priority. 80% of accidents at sea are in some way caused by human error and just under half of those are caused by poor levels of maritime English language.The language of the sea is Maritime English and many ships, and to a lesser extent, ports, are manned by multinational crews. Hence, good communication in Maritime English is essential for creation and maintenance of effective working environments and safety of the crew, and generally safety at sea and at ports.
The MarTEL Project compliments the Loginovsky Report which stated that the significance of English as the working language of the international shipping industry and the overall performance and safety of the international fleet depends on the skill to apply it correctly. The Report continued that the ability of a non-native speaker to have a good command of Maritime English is very much influenced by the ability to think in it, in the frame work of the maritime profession. He concludes that to make the teaching and learning processes more effective, it is required to increase the thought activity of a seafarer using English.
The Founders
The founding partnership is composed of major education and training centres in six EU member states supported by their awarding, accrediting and certification authorities. The project was developed jointly with several industrial and commercial organisations in six partner countries. There are eight active, and many silent partners as well as two major awarding/validating bodiesSee also
- Test of English for AviationTest of English for AviationThe Test of English for Aviation is a language proficiency test designed and developed by Mayflower College in the United Kingdom in accordance with ICAO DOC 9835 and ICAO CIR 318 .Following several accidents and incidents where language...
- International Civil Aviation OrganizationInternational Civil Aviation OrganizationThe International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO) - International Maritime OrganizationInternational Maritime OrganizationThe International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
's (IMO) - Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) which is the recognised standard of Maritime English, authorised by the IMO